Vacuum insulation transport container for temperature controlled transport

ABSTRACT

A vacuum insulation transport container for temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods, such as foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutical products or medical products, includes a receptacle and a lid, wherein the receptacle has an outer upper rim portion, an inner upper rim portion and a middle upper rim portion disposed between the outer and inner upper edge portions, and wherein the outer upper rim portion at least one corner comprises an access portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to German utility patent application number 20 2018 105 918.1 filed Oct. 16, 2018 and titled “Vacuum Insulation Transport Container for Temperature Controlled Transport”. The subject matter of patent application number 20 2018 105 918.1 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND

Vacuum insulation transport containers are widely known in practice and are used, for example, in the handling, i.e. transport and storage or interim storage of temperature-sensitive goods, such as foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutical products or medical products.

Compared to conventional insulation boxes, well-known vacuum insulation transport containers provide an up to five times better insulation effect concerning thermal insulation due to the use of vacuum insulation elements (vacuum insulation panels—VIP). These boxes have a receptacle with a depositing compartment which is closed with a lid. In this context, the outer surface consists of an expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam and has a polypropylene insert on the inside, which forms the side surfaces of the depositing compartment. The outer layer of EPP foam surrounds an insulating layer of highly insulating vacuum insulation elements, whereby a specific heat flow Q in the range from 0.15 W/K to 0.19 W/K can be achieved. The lid is fixed on the receptacle in the manner of a tongue and groove connection by a circumferential groove in which a circumferential complementary projection engages.

The state of the art in WO 2017/129 377 A1 reveals a corresponding transport container with a lid made of foamed plastic. It is proposed therein to fix the lid with the aid of a tongue and groove connection (circumferential groove and circumferential projection) in order to establish a connection between the lid and the receptacle in the manner of a press-fit or a snap-fit connection.

A typical characteristic of such vacuum insulation transport containers is that the lid is removed from the receptacle by hand in order to reach the contents. Due to the good insulation, the connection between the lid and the receptacle, i.e. between the groove and the projection, must be so tight that heat exchange is minimal. Therefore, a need exists for insulation transport containers that address the deficiencies of the prior art.

SUMMARY

The present invention pertains to a vacuum insulation transport container for temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods according to the independent claim.

It is the object of the invention to provide a vacuum insulation transport container which overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art and which is particularly comfortable to open.

The object is accomplished by a vacuum insulation transport container for temperature-controlled transport of foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutical products or medical products according to the independent claim. Advantageous embodiments are the subject-matter of the respective subclaims.

The invention encompasses a vacuum insulation transport container for temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods, such as foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutical products or medical products. The vacuum insulation transport container comprises a receptacle with a receiving volume and a lid. The receptacle comprises an outer upper rim portion, an inner upper rim portion and a middle upper rim portion disposed between the outer and inner upper rim portions. The outer upper rim portion at at least one corner comprises an access portion. Due to the access portion at the at least one corner of the outer upper rim portion, safe removal of the lid from the receptacle is ensured because, on the one hand, there is available good access at the corner and, on the other hand, the connection between lid and receptacle is opened simultaneously along two sides. In this way, a tight connection between lid and receptacle and thus minimum heat loss can be ensured, while the lid can be easily removed from the receptacle by hand.

Particularly, preferably, the access portion is disposed at each corner on two adjacent side walls. The access portion thereby forms a recess in the outer upper rim portion, which extends from the corner along two sides of the receptacle. The user can reach under the lid along this recess and lift it to release the lid from the receptacle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an open vacuum insulation transport container for temperature-controlled transport according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a first side view of the closed vacuum insulation transport container from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a second side view of the closed vacuum insulation transport container from FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the lid for the vacuum insulation transport container from FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a top view of the receptacle for the vacuum insulation transport container from FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an advantageous aspect, the access portion comprises a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion. The respective end portions may have an identical shape and a mirrored geometry (with respect to the middle portion). The size of the middle portion may be increased relative to the size of the respective end portions.

An additional advantage with regard to the design of the access portion is that the first end portion and the middle portion as well as the second end portion and the middle portion are each arranged at an angle α in the range from 90° to 145° to each other. The angled arrangement of the end portions (respectively the surfaces delimiting the end portions) allows the shape of the access portion to be terminated by the end portions.

It is also advantageous if the first end portion and the second end portion have a shorter length le1, le2 than the middle portion lz. A middle portion enlarged with respect to the end portions enhances the access, especially when the end portions are arranged at an angle to the middle portion.

Particularly preferably, the length le1, le2 of the first end portion and the second end portion is more than 1 cm and the length lz of the middle portion is more than 3 cm.

Particularly preferably, the lid comprises an upper rim part, a lower rim part and an outer rim part. An outer edge of the lower rim part (cutting edge of the lower rim part and an outer rim part) is formed lying in one plane (or has no portions projecting up and down from this plane). Thus, the lower rim part forms a planar termination with the outer edge, which comes to bear on the receptacle.

It is advantageous that the receptacle and the lid have an outer surface made of expanded polypropylene foam EPP.

Another advantageous aspect is that the receptacle and the lid are made of polyethylene plastic. The polyethylene plastic is robust and also suitable for transport of moist goods.

Another aspect is that the middle upper rim portion has a circumferential projection. The projection has a size and shape to be placed in a complementarily formed circumferential groove arranged on the lid.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail using the examples shown in the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vacuum insulation transport container 1 with the lid 3 removed from the receptacle 2.

In the example shown for a vacuum insulation transport container 1, an article, such as foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutical products or medical products, can be transported or temporarily stored in a temperature-controlled manner in a receiving compartment 5.

The vacuum insulation transport container 1 has an openly displayed receptacle 2, on the upper surface of which an outer upper rim portion 21 and an inner upper rim portion 23 are arranged. Between the outer upper rim portion 21 and the inner upper rim portion 23 there is disposed a middle upper rim portion 22 connecting the same. The middle upper rim portion 22 comprises a circumferential projection 221 as a part of a tongue and groove connection between lid 3 and receptacle 2. This projection 221 engages in a circumferential groove arranged on the lid 3 (not shown in this perspective) for fastening the lid 3 on the receptacle 2. In the outer upper rim portion 21 a handle 6 is fitted flush with the surface.

The outer upper rim portion 21 comprises an access portion 4 at each of the four corners. Due to the access portion 4 at the outer upper rim portion 21 disposed at each corner, safe removal of the lid 3 from the receptacle 2 is ensured. The arrangement of the access portion 4 at the corner allows good access by hand, so that even a tight connection between lid 3 and receptacle 2 can be easily released by hand.

The access portion 4 at the front corner is shown in detail in the laterally arranged circle. In this illustration it can be clearly seen that the access portion at each corner is arranged on two adjacent side walls 71, 72. Each access portion 4 has a first end portion 42, a second end portion 43, and a middle portion 41 disposed between the first end portion 42 and the second end portion 43, forming a common volume for access of several fingers of a user. In this regard, the first end portion 42, the second end portion 43 and the middle portion 41 have an identical width corresponding to the entire width of the outer upper rim portion 21. In principle, a user thus reaches through the entire outer upper rim portion 21. The angle α is also drawn in this illustration. The first end portion 42 and the middle portion 41 as well as the second end portion 43 and the middle portion 41 are each arranged at an angle α (90° to 145°) to each other, which is identical in this example. The lengths le1, le2 of the first end portion 42 and of the second end portion 43 are each equal in length and about 2 cm while the length lz of the middle portion 41 is about 8 cm. The parenthesis is intended to define the curved area between the end portions 42, 43.

The lid 3 shown raised upwards has an upper rim part 33, a lower rim part 32 and an outer rim part 31. In this context, the one outer edge of the lower rim part 32, i.e. the cutting line of between the outer rim part 31 and the lower rim part 32, is formed to lie in one plane. This plane is formed by the lower surface of the lid 3. A recess 341 for the arrangement of a transport sign is arranged on the lid surface 34 which is bounded by the upper rim part 33.

In the example shown, the receptacle 2 and the lid 3 have an outer surface made of expanded polypropylene foam EPP and an inner surface made of polyethylene plastic.

FIG. 2 shows the closed vacuum insulation transport container 1 from FIG. 1, whereby the lid 3 is brought to bear completely against the receptacle 2.

The outer edge of the lower rim part 32, i.e. the cutting edge between outer rim part 31 and lower rim part 32 of the lid 3, lies completely in the plane formed by the lower surface of the lid 3.

In the perspective shown, the outer upper rim portion 21 has two access portions 4.

FIG. 3 shows a side view, namely in a perspective twisted by 90° compared to the illustration in FIG. 2. This illustration shows the downward cantilevered shape of the outer upper rim portion 21. The handle (see FIG. 2) is fitted flush with the surface into the cantilevered part of the outer upper rim portion 21.

A top view of the lid 3 is shown in FIG. 4. The lid 3 has an upper rim portion 34 and an outer rim portion 31.

In FIG. 5 the receptacle 2 is shown in a plan view. The receptacle 2 shown from above has an outer upper rim portion 21, an inner upper rim portion 23 and a middle upper rim portion 22 disposed between the outer and inner upper rim portions 21, 23. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Vacuum insulation transport container for temperature-controlled transport of temperature-sensitive goods, such as foodstuffs, beverages, pharmaceutical products or medical products, which vacuum insulation transport container comprises a receptacle and a lid, wherein the receptacle has an outer upper rim portion, an inner upper rim portion and a middle upper rim portion disposed between the outer and inner upper edge portions, and wherein the outer upper rim portion at least one corner comprises an access portion.
 2. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 1, wherein the access portion is disposed at each corner on two adjacent side walls.
 3. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 1, wherein the access portion comprises a first end portion, a second end portion and a middle portion disposed between said first end portion and said second end portion.
 4. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 3, wherein the first end portion, the second end portion and the middle portion have a shape corresponding in width to the width of the outer upper rim portion.
 5. Vacuum insulation transport containers according to claim 3, wherein the first end portion and the middle portion as well as the second end portion and the middle portion are each arranged at an angle to each other.
 6. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 3, wherein the length of the first end portion and the second end portion is shorter than the length of the middle portion.
 7. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 3, wherein the length of the first end portion and the second end portion is more than 1 cm and the length of the middle portion is more than 3 cm.
 8. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 3, wherein the lid comprises an upper rim part, a lower rim part and an outer rim part, wherein an outer edge of the lower rim part is formed to lie in one plane.
 9. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle and the lid comprise an outer surface made of expanded polypropylene foam EPP.
 10. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle and the lid comprise an inner surface made of a polyethylene plastic.
 11. Vacuum insulation transport container according to claim 3, wherein the middle upper rim portion comprises a circumferential projection, which projection can be brought to bear in a circumferential groove arranged on the lid. 